Tigers in 4
The Oakland Athletics making the playoffs is one of the best stories of the
second half, as many experts had them down to be in a rebuilding year. However,
with a solid pitching staff full of rookies, and the play of Yoenis Cespedes
who would be the hands down Rookie of the Year if not for Mike Trout. The A's have
been spirited team playing with the enthusiasm of a Little League Team, and
if they get confidence and get up they can be dangerous so starting pitching will
be a key for the Tigers. The Tigers also made the playoffs with a strong surge,
but they were expected to be here. The problem is they slept walk much of
the first half of the season, and did not have nearly as good as season as was
expected. However, they made it to October and it all starts from scratch here.
I maintain if the Tigers play at their highest level they are going to win the
World Series. This is a series they should win easily, as their offense is clicking
with Miguel Cabrera coming off a Triple Crown year, while Prince Fielder
is also heating up. Though most important is Justin Verlander was unhittable down
the stretch, and Doug Fister after struggling most of the season also is pitching
well. Add Max Scherzer and the fact they were here last year and it says
Tigers in four.

Predictions Made October 6, 2012 at 12:00 am ET

Yankees in 4
One thing for sure, the Orioles will not be intimidated by the Yankees, after
splitting 18 games this year, they know that they can compete with the Bronx
Bombers. The Orioles were especially strong at Yankee Stadium, where they won
six of nine games during the regular season. However, at the same time the Yankees
won six of nine at Camden Yards, making home field almost meaningless in this
series. The key to this series will be Yankees Game 1 starter CC Sabathia, who
the Orioles beat twice this season. Traditionally Sabathia has given the O's
holding a career record of 16-4, with an ERA of 3.12. Andy Pettitte also has a
strong career record against Baltimore, so the Orioles will have to get to these
lefties if they are to have a in the series. The Yankees meanwhile cannot let
Mark Reynolds continue to beat them. During the season the Orioles third baseman
smacked seven home runs against the Yankees, with two multiple home run games
in a September series in the Bronx. In the end the Yankees offense will be too
much for the Orioles, especially if Robinson Cano and Ichiro Suzuki stay hot,
as they will get just enough pitching to advance to the ALCS in four games.

Reds in 5
Do not doubt the Giants in the playoffs, they won the World Series just two
years ago, and if they get rolling they could get there again. However, one key
player that needs to step it up is Tim Lincecum. If the Giants are to make another
run, they need the Freak to get out of his season long funk. The fact the
Giants even made the playoffs at all is stunning if you look just at Lincecum's
record as he had just an awful season. Of course the Giants got a strong season
from Matt Cain, as well Madison Bumgartner. The Giants also had a solid pen
despite losing Brian Wilson in April. However, their bullpen is no match for the
Reds, which led by Adolis Chapman has been flat out nasty, reminding fans of
their pen from 1990 the last time they won the World Series. With Johnny Cueto
filling the role of an ace and a superior lineup the Reds are the clear cut favorite.
Though the Giants do have a chance with the first two games at AT&T Park,
the Giants will certainly need to win both games home, as the Great American
Ballpark in Cincinnati has been the Giants American Nightmare, with them losing
seven of their last eight games on the banks of the Ohio. In the end it will go
five with the Reds on top.

Cardinals in 5
Something happens in October in St. Louis, maybe it is the extra beer fermenting
at Anheuser Busch for Octoberfest, maybe it is the stench of St. Louis Rams
football or the red leaves reflecting off the mighty Mississippi, but whatever
it is the Cardinals excel in October. Once again they are the last team in the
postseason and once again they are pulling off upsets after beating the Braves
in the Wild Card Game in Atlanta. Now they open the NLDS at home as the defending
champion playing the team with the best record in baseball they have the
Washington Nationals right where they want them. The Nationals did win 98 games,
but most of the team are playoff neophytes. The Cardinals not only have been
there and done that, but they have the ability of finding a different hero each
night, a tough task for any team in the playoffs let alone one full of young players
experiencing the spotlight for the first time. The Nats do have the pitching
advantage led by Gio Gonzalez as Kyle Lohse was already used by St. Louis
to beat Atlanta. However, this is where shutting down Stephen Strasburg will haunt
Washington. The series will go the distance, but the Nats lack of that second
ace, and the Cardinals ability to win big games on the road will be the difference.